CAC-Family Advocate

JOBS SUMMARY: The Family Advocate (FA) will assist CAC Clinical Services Director in providing support to child victims of abuse and non-offending caretakers (NOCs) according to established policies and procedures. FA will report directly to the Clinical Services Director and will help plan, implement and evaluate intervention and follow-up services. Provides crisis intervention and intake interviews for child abuse victims and their families; complete risk assessments and safety plans with non-offending caretakers; provide information and referral to other community agencies; work with families to improve the family support system and increase the family’s ability to problem solve and assume the role of advocate for themselves and their children with further duties listed below.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implement Family Advocate program
• Maintain regular phone contact/follow-up with families and children.
• Provide NOC with parent education/information about supporting their child who has been abused.
• Provide crisis intervention services to child and family as needed at CAC.
• Obtain child well-being concerns and problematic symptoms from caretakers at visits as needed and provide NOC with supportive services.
• Provide appropriate intervention and support to families during the investigations, court preparation, treatment, and prosecution phases of the case progression.
• Provide education and support to parents/non-offending caretaker during forensic interviews.
• Assist therapist/case managers in obtaining background information about the child and family at the time of the intake assessment.
• Discuss Family Information Packet, obtain signatures on confidentiality/permission forms, and explain CAC services to NOCs.
• Assist CAC staff with completing case tracking information and maintaining proper recordkeeping. Enter information into computer and/or report information for CAC reports.
• Assist therapist and MDT in coordinating services.
• Make referral appointments with other therapist/treatment providers in community and provide follow-up services for families discharged from program.
• Complete risk assessments and parent/child relationship inventories with NOCs.
• Participate in on-the-job training and continuing education related to CAC.
• Develop and maintain a resource library within the CAC, for use by NOCs, child victims, and community partners/agencies.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Public relations (interpersonal) skills
• Basic Computer skills
• Organizational skills
• Problem solving skills
• Complete required program reports
• Provide basic crisis intervention and case management services
• Provide advocacy services and resource information to families

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Program volunteers

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology or related human service field, with experience working with families.
• Must have the skills to deal tactfully and professionally with the public, clients and other professionals.
• Bachelor’s degree in human services administration or related field
• Excellent writing ability; outstanding communication skills
• Ability to work under tight time lines and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of child development and experience working with families, especially families experiencing trauma and crisis
• Must have knowledge of parent-child attachment/relationships
• Experience in providing services to culturally diverse communities/families and the ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate
• Understanding and knowledge of child abuse and neglect, including emphasis on child sexual abuse and adult victims/survivors of child sexual abuse
• Strong knowledge of intervention and treatment services for child victims of abuse
• Experience in conducting public awareness/public education events
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills, basic computer skills, an understanding of cultural diversity and be non-judgmental.
• Must have valid VA driver’s license and dependable transportation.
• Good writing and organizational skills a must. Must be self-motivated and task oriented.
• Experience working with community agencies.